Refurbishment of Queens Hall and Burley Community Library

On 13 September 2018, the Parish Council agreed to borrow £575,000 over 30 years to refurbish Queens Hall and Burley Library. This loan is now being considered by Central Government.

Although the Council carried out extensive consultation before agreeing to apply for the loan and circulated proposed details by social media, our website, and the local paper, please feel free to continue to send us your views, feedback, and suggestions on this matter to clerk@burleyparishcouncil.co.uk

The Parish Council have issued the preliminary tender package for the work to be undertaken on both the library and Queens Hall, and two of the four tender respondents have now progressed to the next stage. Bowman Riley, our architects, are working with both building firms to complete their analysis of the submissions. A firm recommendation is now due in December, along with a proposed programme of works that will identify the items of expenditure planned for both buildings. Until this is complete, no endorsement of the tender proposals can be confirmed. Previous timescales look to have been optimistic and it is now likely that work will start in Spring 2019. A full timetable of the refurbishment programme will be issued once the tender process has been completed.

One key item of expenditure will be VAT since some (but not all) building work will be claimable against VAT. Professional advice is being sought on the matter For the work planned on the library no planning permission is needed as the work is very simple – primarily over-roofing, new windows, creation of a disabled toilet and a new kitchen. For the Queens Hall planning approval is required for the back extension and the replacement windows. The application documents are available to view on the Bradford Council website: https://planning.bradford.gov.uk/online-applications/(Bradford Planning reference: 18/03328/FUL).